Headteacher's Blog
Head Teacher's Blog February 2024
We are half way through the school year now and it is refreshing to see that our pupils are still so very enthusiastic about their learning and attendance at school. Many of the children that I have spoken to enjoyed the homework that was set for the half-term break and produced a high standard of work, resulting in positive feedback from their class teachers.
The remainder of the spring term promises to be an exciting time for pupils and staff and we have some wonderful events to look forward to including: Book Week, which takes place from 4th to 8th March, in addition to Voice in a Million, the Annual Easter Production and the Easter Bonnet Parade. Looking further ahead, our year 5 and 6 pupils have the opportunity to attend a residential stay at the Gordon Brown Centre and PGL, respectively, which take place during the summer term. In a Park Lane Primary School first, our year 3 and 4 pupils will be joining myself, along with Miss Sparrow and Mrs Palin for Kip on a Ship, which will take place on June 14th. Another first is the pyjama party sleep over that our year 1 and 2 pupils will attend on Friday 5th July; the children are very excited about the opportunity to develop their independence and are looking forward to the overnight event which takes place in the school hall, when they will supported by familiar members of staff.
Prior to the half term break, we celebrated Children’s Mental Health Week from Monday 5th to Friday 9th February. This year’s theme was Your Voice Matters and Mrs. Valeri of Place2Be, delivered an assembly to launch the week, when she inspired our pupils to use their voices, share what matters to them and encourage those around them to listen. During class time, our staff discussed the importance of mental health, along with physical health, which are equally important components of overall well-being.
During that same week, we observed Safer Internet Day on Tuesday 6th February, with celebrations and learning based around the theme: Inspiring change? Making a difference, managing influence and navigating change online. Children across the school held class discussions and produced displays highlighting the importance of on-line safety.
On Wednesday 7th February, the children in EYFS were treated to a special Chinese Dance Workshop in honour of Chinese New Year, which was celebrated on Saturday 10th February. Our EYFS pupils enjoyed learning about this celebration which commemorates the beginning of the lunisolar Chinese calendar.
Maths’ Week was also a highlight of the first half of the spring term. Mr. Numbervator visited Park Lane Primary School on Friday 2nd of February after a week-long celebration of Maths. The children in each class joined Mr. Numbervator in the school hall, when they participated in maths themed workshops designed to promote and foster a love of maths. The day was also a non-uniform day and pupils were encouraged to dress up for digits; proceeds from non-uniform contributions were donated to the NSPCC, the UK’s leading children’s charity. Awards were given to the children who had the most original costume in each class.
On Tuesday 23rd January, Mrs Patel led a special EYFS Phonics Workshop for parents and carers of our EYFS pupils. The workshop introduced parents/carers to the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Reading scheme, the programme we use to teach phonics to the children who attend our school. The feedback we received from parents who attended the meeting, was extremely positive, many parents said that they are now in a position to more confidently aide and encourage their children when reading at home.
Parents’ Evening, which was held on Wednesday 24th January, gave parents an opportunity to speak with their children’s teachers about their child’s behaviour for learning, their attendance at school and punctuality, in addition to attainment. It is very important for parents/carers to have an understanding of their children’s behaviour at school, along with their attainment, in order to assist them in their learning at home and to support the staff at school.
Finally, I would like to congratulate the pupils and staff for all of their efforts in preparing for and delivering some excellent class assemblies during the first half of the spring term. Class 2Y focused on importance of being kind, which linked to Mental Health Week during which their assembly was held. Class 6Y looked at New Year’s Day celebrations, 6G concentrated on World Religion Day and 5G gave us a geography lesson on North America.